Illiteracy

The level of education in Southern Sudan is low and the illiteracy is high. With an average literacy rate of 55% in the whole of Sudan, male literacy in Southern Sudan may well be lower than 40% and female literacy even lower.

What makes the language challenges even greater is the fact that even though English is one of the official languages of Southern Sudan, far from everyone speaks English. Another official language, the simple Arabic dialect Juba Arabic, is widespread in especially the three Equatoria states but it does not constitute a common language for Southern Sudan either. In addition to English and Juba Arabic, an unknown number of local languages like Kakwa, Dinka and Nuer are spoken in different areas of Southern Sudan. As a result, it is not possible to address and be understood by the majority of Southern Sudanese using only one language.

Hence,  for the MS Sudan country programme. In our efforts to support and develop civic education activities that make the people of Southern Sudan aware of their democratic rights and duties,

The level of education in Southern Sudan is low and the illiteracy is high. With an average literacy rate of 55% in the whole of Sudan, male literacy in Southern Sudan may well be lower than 40% and female literacy even lower.

What makes the language challenges even greater is the fact that even though English is one of the official languages of Southern Sudan, far from everyone speaks English. Another official language, the simple Arabic dialect Juba Arabic, is widespread in especially the three Equatoria states but it does not constitute a common language for Southern Sudan either. In addition to English and Juba Arabic, an unknown number of local languages like Kakwa, Dinka and Nuer are spoken in different areas of Southern Sudan. As a result, it is not possible to address and be understood by the majority of Southern Sudanese using only one language.

Hence, in our efforts to support and develop civic education activities that make the people of Southern Sudan aware of their democratic rights and duties, the literacy and language challenges in Southern Sudan constitute a great challenge.